During a fan forum Tuesday night, Jim Harbaugh took note that one of his questioners liked quarterback Alex Smith.

"I agree," Harbaugh said. "I like him very much, too."

It marked the latest indication that the 49ers will consider bringing back their incumbent quarterback for a seventh season. Smith is eligible for free agency once the NFL labor situation is resolved and Harbaugh on several occasions has declined to close the door on Smith's return.

When asked Tuesday whether the former No. 1 pick was still in the picture for 2011, the coach replied: "Yes, Alex Smith is definitely in it."

General Manager Trent Baalke was more circumspect during the fan event, talking mostly in general terms about the team's quarterback situation. He said Tuesday that the 49ers would "pursue all avenues" including the draft, trades and free agency "to improve the position."

The answers came during Fan Forum, a conference call in which about 4,000 fans dialed in hoping to address a question to Harbaugh or Baalke. Calls poured in from places like Modesto, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chico and Bend (Ore.) with fans wanting to know how the 49ers' new brain trust planned on ending a cycle of losing.

Some highlights:

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Baalke dismissed the opening question about whether the 49ers would consider trading their first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) for Eagles backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. Baalke noted that tampering rules prevent him from talking about a player under contract.

Harbaugh said the 49ers planned on playing what he called "a multiple 3-4" defense and pointed to the Super Bowl representatives — the Packers and the Steelers -- as examples of what the 49ers are looking for defensively. "Aggressive, physical, smart," Harbaugh said.

On offense, Harbaugh said the current roster is capable of providing a more versatile running game. "It's a group that can be creative," he said. "That's on us as coaches."

The 49ers are essentially crossing their fingers when it comes to a potential NFL lockout. They've created an offseason workout schedule that assumes a deal gets settled quickly. "If not, then we'll roll with it," Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh talked extensively about the 49ers legacy he inherits and said he gets chills whenever he sees the five Lombardi Trophies at team headquarters. He said he embraces the high bar set by coaches Bill Walsh and George Seifert and said, "We're not trying to equal it. We're going to try to go past it."

Baalke said he was optimistic that the offensive line could take a leap forward as the current group grows up. "We feel extremely fortunate with where we're at," the G.M. said. "We've got young linemen who are under contract for a long time. We're certainly encouraged by the personnel that we have at those positions."